Kalaburgi, 21 October

AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday demanded the repeal of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, that grants immunity to election commissioners.

Speaking to reporters, Kharge alleged that the government was shielding election commissioners from accountability.

He asserted that the Opposition was fighting to protect democracy and safeguard the integrity of institutions, rather than for any individual or party.

Kharge further alleged that the government was acting arbitrarily on issues concerning the Constitution and electoral reforms.

Speaking to ANI , Kharge alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not given Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju real authority and was using him as an intermediary, similar to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

He also accused the Prime Minister of insulting opposition leaders by not responding directly to their letters. 

Questioning the government’s approach, Kharge asked whether the Prime Minister considered himself above the Constitution and warned that the public would hold the government accountable for its actions.

This comes after Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday (19 October) replied to a 16 October letter by Kharge seeking an all-party meeting to discuss proposals on delimitation, stating that the government had made repeated efforts to consult the Opposition to discuss the proposals of the Bill.